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Abstract:

An apparatus and method for utilizing reactive power in electric power
generating facilities. The primary energy source is a reactive power
provided by a source of high-frequency, high-voltage electromagnetic
oscillations. As a device, the Reactive Current Transformer consists of a
high-voltage, high-frequency electromagnetic generator, preferably Tesla
Resonant Transformer and of inductive receiving coils,
electromagnetically coupled in the absence of a ferromagnetic core,
adjusted in resonance with this electromagnetic generator and mounted in
any required quantity, close to it. Energy, emitted by the
electromagnetic generator, is being transferred to inductive coils.
Reactive current induced in the inductive coils can be collected from
them and converted to a standard AC voltage for further use by any
convenient way, preferably with a help of additional inductive
transforming windings, mounted together and electromagnetically coupled
with these inductive coils.

Claims:

1. A Reactive Current Transformer (RCT) utilizing a reactive power
component of electric energy and converting it into an active power with
an output alternating current (AC) of a given frequency and voltage
magnitude, comprising: a source of electromagnetic radiation (SEMR) for
emitting an exciting oscillations of power; at least a first receiving
inductive coil, positioned close to the SEMR; the inductive coil
receiving a coil induced power in vicinity of said SEMR and producing an
induced alternating current (AC); and a collector intended for collecting
the coil induced power from said receiving inductive coil and converting
a collector induced AC into the output AC with the given frequency and
voltage magnitude.

2. The RCT of claim 1, wherein the SEMR including an emitting oscillating
resonant circuit (EORC) and a driving generator producing an electric
current oscillations to make the EORC to emit the electromagnetic (EM)
radiation.

3. The RCT of claim 2, wherein the driving generator is a spark gap,
transistor or vacuum tube type.

4. The RCT of claim 3, wherein at least the first receiving inductive
coil is loosely electromagnetically coupled in the absence of a
ferromagnetic core with the EORC of the SEMR with a coupling coefficient
k≦0.48.

5. The RCT of claim 4, wherein at least the first receiving inductive
coil is tuned to resonate at the same frequency as the EORC of the SEMR.

6. The RCT of claim 5, further comprising additional receiving inductive
coils, as many as required to get a necessary capacity of the system,
loosely electromagnetically coupled in the absence of a ferromagnetic
core and tuned to resonate at the same frequency with the EORC of the
SEMR, performing the same function as the first receiving inductive coil,
all receiving inductive coils contributing to the RCT output.

7. The RCT of claim 6, wherein the receiving inductive coils are
grounded.

8. The RCT of claim 7, wherein SEMR is a Tesla coil type transformer (TT)
comprising the driving generator, a driving oscillating resonant circuit
(DOC) and the EORC loosely electromagnetically coupled with the DOC in
the absence of a ferromagnetic core.

9. The RCT of claim 8, further comprising an automatic frequency control
to automatically keep the TT driving generator outputting AC frequency
being tuned to a changing resonance in the TT EORC.

10. The RCT of claim 1, wherein the SEMR driving generator is being fed
by initial electric power from a battery or an outer electric net.

11. The RCT of claim 10, further comprising a power feeding circuit from
the system output, back to the SEMR input to produce a feedback source of
electric power, intended for self-feeding the RCT with electric power.

12. The RCT of claim 1, wherein the collector comprises an additional
inductive winding, mounted inside each said receiving inductive coil and
electromagnetically coupled with it.

13. A method for producing an electrical current, said method comprising:
inductively transforming a reactive power into an active power with an
output alternating current (AC) of a given frequency and voltage
magnitudes.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the transforming is performed by
loosely electromagnetically coupling inductive coils with a source of
electromagnetic radiation (SEMR) in the absence of a ferromagnetic core;
positioning inductive coils close to said SEMR; tuning a resonance of
said inductive coils and the SEMR to resonate at the same frequency;
receiving a coil induced power by said inductive coils in vicinity of
said SEMR and producing an induced alternating current, which is
collected from said inductive coils and converted to the AC output with
the given frequency and voltage magnitude.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein collecting is performed by an
additional inductive winding, mounted inside each said receiving
inductive coil and electromagnetically coupled with it.

[0002] The invention relates to an ecologically clean electric power
generation, specifically to the methods and technology of utilizing
reactive power component of electric energy and converting it into an
active power with an output alternating current (AC) of a given frequency
and voltage magnitudes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The most recent economy trend in terms of power generation is
directed towards renewable energy sources, saving the environment and
capable of insuring a certain extent of energy independence for its
consumers. One of the most significant, perspective and still unrealized
sources is the reactive power. Technology of reactive power conversion
into a useful energy that may be conveniently used by industrial and
commercial facilities hasn't existed until now. This new technology will
let to utilize the reactive power as a primary energy source and to
convert it into a standard AC voltage for its farther use by different
consumers.

[0004] Reactive power is considered to be an extremely negative
phenomenon. Huge resources are being wasted to withstand the reactive
power in power lines today. Significant efforts are being made as well to
control and compensate the reactive power in power transmission and
distribution systems consist of generating facilities, nets and
consumers.

[0005] The level of the reactive power problem could be illustrated on an
example of yesteryears three-phase devices. Up to three power stations
were being used to supply merely ten enterprises those days. A sudden
surge of power, increased standard 380 V voltage to 450-600 Volts,
forcing electric machines to exceed their ability, which caused
overloading of generating facilities on power stations and as a result,
were disconnected from an overstrain or just were destroyed. It was an
action of mighty reactive power.

[0006] It appears the reactive power has the same nature, as an active
electric power, but arising from a resonance of inductance together with
electric capacitance in the power network system, and is always directed
back from consumers to their power station generators i.e. contrary to a
working current from generators. It causes networks overheating and huge
additional quantities of fuel wasting for its compensation.

[0007] Under the assumption of a great majority of engineers, reactive
power is scooped from a magnetic field of the Earth and electric
potential of its atmosphere.

[0008] Nikola Tesla was possibly the first who utilized reactive power in
its useful purposes. It rotated an electromotor of his famous electro
mobile, but principal schemes of this unit do not exist and we can only
make assumptions

[0009] There is another example of a reactive power usage in practice. Dr.
Vachaev (Russia) conducted his researches from 1960-70. He tested a water
deep cleaning and treatment device with extraction of various substances
from water suspension. His device had an extremely simple design. 220
Volt was applied to the scheme as indicated in FIG. 1. The current
travelled through additional resistance R 2 to transformer TR 5 connected
with a capacity C 4 (180-200 uF) and farther to a tubular sparking gap TD
3 immersed in a water. A tubular sparking gap was covered by a coil being
fed with a direct current (not shown on the scheme). A small fireball
discharge appeared at arch ignition in the gap, and powerful
electromagnetic oscillations with about 30 MHz frequency occurred in the
device. A strong reactive current arose in the transformer-condenser
contour. The resistance R 2 served for limitation of this reactive
current. As the key SW 1 was switched on load LR 6, the given contour
became a source of a current itself and simultaneously made a
self-supporting system for a significant period of time. But this design
was limited in its constant generating ability by applied transformer
with its iron core.

[0010] A Tesla air-core resonant type transformer invented by Nicola Tesla
around 1891, shown schematically in FIG. 2, is effective, reliable and
cost effective generator of high-voltage and high-frequency
electromagnetic oscillations, which can be successfully used for exciting
the system with a reactive power.

[0012] Typical Tesla transformer spark gap type driving generator
comprises a high-voltage supplying transformer 9. The output of supplying
transformer is rectified by a full wave bridge 10. Tesla transformer
primary coil 7, a spark gap 11 and a high-voltage capacitor 12 are
connected in series. The primary coil 7 is loosely electromagnetically
coupled with the secondary coil 8, in the absence of a ferromagnetic core
through mutual inductance. A discharge needle 13 is connected to the end
of the secondary coil winding wire and is mounted on its top for a
discharge corona creation purpose. Another end of the secondary coil
winding wire is grounded.

[0013] Tesla transformer can have a spark gap, a transistor or a vacuum
tube driving generator type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The objective of the present invention is utilizing a reactive
power as the primary energy with its conversion into an active power with
an output alternating current (AC) of a given frequency and voltage
magnitudes for further use in common electric distribution grids and to
provide a design for a Reactive Current Transformer utilizing this
reactive power.

[0015] The basic principle underlying the transformer is the following. A
source of electromagnetic radiation (SEMR) emitting an exciting
oscillations of power. In the preferred embodiment the SEMR is the Tesla
coil type transformer. A receiving inductive coil is positioned close to
the SEMR; it receives a coil induced power in vicinity of said SEMR. This
power induces an induced alternating current (AC) in this inductive coil.
The transformer has also a collector that is able to collect the coil
induced power from the receiving inductive coil and convert its own
induced AC into the output with the given frequency and voltage
magnitude. In the preferred embodiment the collector has inductive
windings mounted inside the receiving inductive coil and
electromagnetically coupled with it. The receiving inductive coils may be
grounded.

[0016] It is important to tune the inductive coil to be in resonance with
an emitting coil of the SEMR. In one embodiment an additional feedback
loop with an automatic frequency control circuit is provided to keep them
in resonance.

[0017] In the preferred embodiment the transformer further includes
additional inductive coils that surround the SEMR. The number of
inductive coils must be sufficient to achieve the required magnitude of
the system output, since all coils contribute to the system output.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is a method for producing
an electrical current via inductively transforming a reactive power into
an active power with an output alternating current (AC) of a given
frequency and voltage magnitudes. The method include emitting of
electromagnetic (EM) radiation, positioning inductive coils close to the
source of EM radiation, tuning a resonance of said inductive coils and
the source of EM radiation to resonate at the same frequency, receiving a
coil induced power by said inductive coils in vicinity of said source of
EM radiation and producing an induced alternating current, which is
collected from said inductive coils and converted to the AC output with
the given frequency and voltage magnitudes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best
understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a principle circuit chart of Dr. Vachev's device for
water deep cleaning and treatment of a prior art;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows an automatic frequency control diagram for the driving
generator outputting AC frequency being tuned to a changing resonance in
the exciting oscillating resonant circuit.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows experimental results demonstrating discharge corona on
the top of the receiving coil (on the left). The receiving coil is placed
in vicinity of the Tesla coil type transformer, which also has discharge
corona (on the right).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] We have discovered a phenomenon. The phenomenon and design built on
its basis consists in that: energy emitted by a source of electromagnetic
(EM) radiation excites a power induction in inductive coils placed close
enough to this source of EM radiation, loosely electromagnetically
coupled and tuned to resonate at the same frequency with it. The capacity
of energy, being induced in each inductive coil, depends only on a
distance between this coil and the source of EM radiation, under the
constant AC voltage and frequency output magnitudes. The quantity of
inductive coils, being mounted around the source of EM radiation has no
any influence on the effect of power induction in them and can be any
possible.

[0027] Energy transfer process is in a square-law dependence on this
source of EM radiation voltage output level and in a direct dependence on
its output frequency.

[0028] As far as inductive coils are inductances and the Earth performs as
a natural electric capacitance, together they perform as oscillatory
contour regarding to a generator of electric current oscillations. The
driving generator produces current oscillations to make the emitting
oscillatory circuit to emit the EM radiation, which excites a power
induction in the inductive coils electromagnetically loosely coupled with
this source of EM radiation. Reactive power arising in this resonant
system, consists of a driving generator and an oscillatory contour, can
not return to the generator in a full quantity because of lack of a
strong electromagnetic coupling between this oscillatory contour and the
generator (coupling coefficient k≦0.48), instead, reactive power
becomes available for its utilizing. Energy being induced in the
receiving inductive coils can be collected from them and converted into
an output alternating current of a given frequency and voltage magnitudes
for its further use.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6 experimental results demonstrating discharge
corona on the top of the receiving coil (on the left). The receiving coil
is placed in vicinity of the Tesla coil type transformer, which also has
discharge corona (on the right). That is a visible indicator of energy,
being transferred to the receiving coil.

[0030] An apparatus utilizing reactive power component of electric energy,
based on the above mentioned phenomenon, is named a Reactive Current
Transformer (RCT). It consists of a source of high-frequency,
high-voltage electromagnetic radiation (SEMR), preferably a Tesla coil
type Transformer (Tesla transformer) of FIG. 2, intended for exciting the
system with oscillating power, receiving inductive coils (receiving
coils), intended for receiving the induced energy and producing an
induced alternating current (AC), a collector intended for collecting of
coil induced energy from these receiving coils and converting the induced
AC into the output with the given frequency and voltage magnitudes.

[0031] For this purpose, the receiving coils should be loosely
electromagnetically coupled in the absence of a ferromagnetic core with
their SEMR, tuned to resonate at the same frequency with it, mounted
close to the SEMR in any required quantity (depending on a desirable
capacity of the RCT), taking necessary precautions against a possibility
of high-voltage breakdown from the SEMR loaded parts.

[0032] High-voltage and high-frequency AC being induced in these inductive
receiving coils, must be collected from them and then converted to a
standard AC voltage with industrial frequency, as it is impossible for
consumers to use a high-voltage, high-frequency current (up to Million
volts and Hertz pulses), being formed on the receiving coils.

[0033] Additional inductive transforming windings with a proper number of
wire turns (transforming coils) mounted inside each receiving coil and
electromagnetically coupled with them, serve for this purpose.

[0034] The coil induced AC being collected from the receiving coils and
adjusted to a standard AC voltage magnitude with the help of transforming
coils, can be then adjusted to a standard industrial AC frequency
magnitude by any method, as is known in the art.

[0035] One embodiment of the RCT of the present invention, indicated
schematically in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, comprises an Exciting, Receiving and
Transforming parts.

[0036] The RCT Exciting part is a source of electromagnetic radiation
(SEMR) of any design and type but the preferred source is a Tesla
transformer.

[0037] The SEMR consists of an emitting oscillating resonant circuit
(EORC) and a driving generator producing electric current oscillations to
make the EORC to emit the electromagnetic (EM) radiation.

[0038] Tesla transformer applied in the preferred embodiment, shown
schematically in FIG. 3, has a spark gap type driving generator. Driving
generator can also be a transistor or a vacuum tube type.

[0039] In one embodiment a high-voltage supplying transformer 9 is powered
by the 60 Hz AC 220 V commercial mains 20A, with its output voltage of 1
kV

[0040] The RCT can have a power feeding circuit from the system output,
back to the driving generator input, to produce a feedback source of
electric power (FBS), intended for self feeding the RCT with power. The
FBS circuit is not applied in the preferred embodiment.

[0042] The primary coil 7 is loosely electromagnetically coupled in the
absence of a ferromagnetic core with the emitting oscillating resonant
circuit (secondary coil) 8, through mutual inductance, the coupling
coefficient is preferably k≦0.48.

[0044] A discharge needle 13 is connected to one end of the secondary coil
winding wire and is mounted on its top for a discharge corona creation
purpose. Another end of the secondary coil winding wire is grounded.

[0045] In another embodiment the secondary coil 8 is mounted inside the
primary coil 7 as is indicated schematically in FIG. 4

[0046] The primary and secondary circuits both are being tuned so they
resonate at the same frequency (typically, between 25 kHz and 2 MHz). The
resistance of both windings should be as low as practical. The value of
the mutual inductance is selected along with the values of the primary
capacitance and winding inductances to produce operability as is known in
the art.

[0047] The fully rectified current from the supplying transformer 9
charges a high-voltage capacitor 12 (100 uF in our experiments). When
primary capacitor is fully charged, the spark gap 11 commutates energy
into the primary coil 7. Tesla transformer's driver executes a current
oscillation and transfers energy of the capacitor into the secondary
circuit, consists of the distributed capacitance of the secondary
inductance in parallel with the electrostatic capacitance of the
receiving contour. As the primary coil 7 energy transfers to the
secondary coil 8, the secondary winding output voltage increases until
all of the available primary energy has been transferred to the secondary
coil 8 and the secondary coil 8 generates a high-voltage, high-frequency
EM radiation.

[0048] The RCT Receiving part consists of receiving inductive coils
(receiving coils) 14 which have the same design and parameters as the
Tesla transformer exciting secondary coil 8.

[0049] Receiving coils are loosely electromagnetically coupled in the
absence of a ferromagnetic core with an emitter of EM
radiation--secondary coil 8 of the Tesla transformer, inductive coupling
coefficient k≦0.48.

[0050] Receiving coils are tuned to resonate at the same frequency with
the secondary coil of the Tesla transformer.

[0051] The RCT can be additionally supplied with an automatic frequency
control (AFC) to automatically keep the Tesla transformer driving
generator outputting AC frequency being tuned to a changing resonance in
the secondary coil as is indicated schematically in FIG. 5. The AFC
circuit is not applied in the preferred embodiment.

[0052] For illustration of the working principles of the present invention
it will be regarded the RCT in the embodiment with four receiving coils,
as is indicated schematically in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, though it could be as
many receiving coils, as required on practice and the quantity of
receiving coils being used in a unit is determined by a desired capacity
of the system only.

[0053] The receiving coils in the preferred embodiment are executed by
enamel insulated copper wire (AWG 20, 1000 turns) reeled up on an
isolating pipe (7 inches in diameter and 40 inches tall). A discharge
needle 18 is connected to one end of the receiving coils winding wire and
is mounted on its top for a discharge corona creation purpose. Another
end of the receiving coils winding wire is grounded.

[0054] The Tesla transformer driving generator output capacity in our
example is 1.5 kW, its output voltage is 200 kV, emitted current
frequency is 200 kHz, a distance between emitting secondary coil 8 of the
Tesla transformer and the receiving coils 14 is 40 inches. Every
receiving coil receives about 0.3 kW of induced energy under these
conditions. Together they produce about 1.2 kW of induced energy.

[0055] If the receiving coils are being placed farther, saying on a
distance of 10 feet from the emitting secondary coil of a working Tesla
transformer, the coronas on their discharge needles 18 almost go out and
capacity of induced energy in each receiving coil falls down to several
Watts.

[0056] The RCT Transforming part consists of a collector of any kind,
intended for collecting the coil induced energy from the receiving coils
and converting this energy into an AC with given voltage magnitude. It is
convenient on practice to use additional inductive windings, named
transforming coils 15 for this purpose.

[0057] Transforming coils should be electromagnetically coupled with their
receiving coils and mounted inside them, as is indicated schematically in
FIG. 4. A proper number of wire turns in the transforming coil winding
provide a transformation of high-voltage, high-frequency AC, being
collected from the receiving coils, to a standard voltage magnitude.

[0058] This high-frequency AC obtained from the transforming coils can be
then adjusted to a standard industrial frequency 50/60 Hz AC voltage, for
its further utilizing in a common electric distribution grid. It is
convenient on practice to rectify collected high-frequency alternating
current (AC) to a direct current (DC) with a help of diodes 17, switched
in series and balanced by capacitors 16. Then this DC should be inverted
back to an AC with a given frequency magnitude, with a help of a standard
inverter.

[0059] The suggested method of producing an electrical current via
inductively transforming a reactive power into an active power with an
output alternating current of a given frequency and voltage magnitudes
and its embodiment comprising a combination of inductive receiving coils,
mounted in any required quantity, together with transforming coils, close
to a source of EM radiation, loosely electromagnetically coupled and
adjusted in resonance with their SEMR is the subject of the present
invention and the main point, which differs this new Reactive Current
Transformer from the known Tesla transformer or any known method of
electric power generation.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows the experimental results demonstrating the generation
of induced electrical current in the inductive coil (left) placed in
vicinity of an emitting coil (right) of Tesla transformer.

[0061] While embodiment of the present invention has been described above,
it should be understood that it has been presented by way of example
only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present
invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary
embodiment, but should be defined only in accordance with the following
claims and their equivalents.

[0062] The previous description of the preferred embodiment is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present
invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described
with reference to preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.